I’m writing in response to the latest ill fate which has befallen the citizens of this wonderful community. Dave, I commend your response and letter to the editor. It is especially wonderful that you included those that contribute to our society, but may not speak the best of our English language.

None of us know of the circumstances which added together to create the puzzle that now lays before us, and only time will create a healing solution. I was a member of the Moab community for many years, before I went on to new adventures on the West Coast. Moab, Canyonlands, and the La Sals added to me, made me, and I am proud of the addition it made to my life’s journey.

Do not let this blight of present confusion be an impact on the wonderful people who live in Moab and surrounding areas. This is the land of Edward Abbey, the sagebrush rebellion, and proud settlers. We have celebrated diversity since the first explorers came here. They were Spanish-speaking sheep herders. Their tags/graffiti/pictographs are still found on rocks in the backcountry. Moab is an island in Utah, an island where all are welcome.

Visitors, residents, and future guests, do not let the spray paint of cowards and those that fear American justice interfere with our great landscape of diversity. It is diversity that is the personality of Moab. We have amongst us people of all walks of faith, color, beliefs, and native heritage. Let’s not forget what it means to be American. I don’t know if your forefathers/mothers crossed the Rio Grande, came here through Ellis Island, were granted freedom in the South, or their VW van broke down on the way to a Grateful Dead concert, but we all arrived in Moab one way or another. And we were here; we are here. We are all here together.

Let’s let this dark piece of present history live its course, be learned from, and cause us all to come together stronger. A community cannot be broken by a few. When we are all old, and life has quickly flown by, we won’t judge the language or color of skin of those who claim to be our companions and friends – only their hearts. Moab has a good heart. We can’t discriminate. I can hear that heartbeat now, from a thousand miles away.

We're glad to give readers a forum to express their points of view on issues important to this community. That forum is the “Letters to the Editor.” Letters to the editor may be submitted directly to The Times-Independent through this link and will be published in the print edition of the newspaper. All letters must be the original work of the letter writer – form letters will not be accepted. All letters must include the actual first and last name of the letter writer, the writer’s address, city and state and telephone number. Anonymous letters will not be accepted.

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